Flames recall Mark Jankowski from Stockton

Ladies and gentlemen of the comments section and Twitter, your prayers have been answered. With the injury to Jaromir Jagr, the Calgary Flames have recalled Mark Jankowski from the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat.

Jankowski, 23, was one of the last players cut by the Flames when they finished up training camp a few weeks back. He has amassed eight points in six AHL games this season (and 70 points in 78 career AHL games) and has established himself as one of Stockton’s offensive leaders. The 2012 first round selection has improbably gone from being one of the most maligned picks in recent memory to one that fans have clamored for the most. (Strange how time changes things.)

Jankowski’s recall to replace a winger suggests that he’ll either be used as a winger or he’ll be used as a center and an existing center will be moved to the wing. We’ll see what happens.

“Hey, nice to meet ya, I’m Mark.”
“Oh hi, Mark! I’m Sam. Looks like we’ll be playing on a line together.”
“Really? No way, that’s cool.”
“Yeah, I usually play center but they decided to move me to the wing and see how things go.”
“Sweet.”

One guy certainly CAN turn a team around, but its not only his contribution, but what it does for the rest of the line-up and the message it sends the others that makes the real difference. If Jankowski can come up, Centre the 3rd line with Bennett either 1RW/LW or 3LW/RW that could make a huge difference for the team, even if its not JUST his production we are looking at. The team needs a jolt, several players got to get the message to smarten up, start producing or else, and new combos need to happen because having a two line team isn’t going to cut it.

Dum dum Go back and read the post – I am one of the staunchest Janko supporters around. As any hockey fan knows, GMs are all known to make decisions which fans may not agree with or understand. Although Janko was the most obvious candidate to bring up, it is never a for sure thing. Go back to Shelbyville.

Once Jankowski shows what he can do then the real decision becomes which player goes on waivers once Jagr comes back . Glass and Hamilton haven’t done much and Lazar has had a few bright moments . My vote is Glass goes down.

Jankowski is taking Bennett s spot for now I’ll bet money on it but it will benefit Bennett on the wing for now. I’d still use Bennett at centre in defencive situations . Finally this is Awesome I can’t wait to see Jankowski make an impact. Jankowski has the poise needed for a centre .

Jankowski needs to keep the ball rolling as far as activity goes. He’s hot and he needs to play. Sitting him would be an injustice. Play him at center with skill on the wings.
Minimize the variables to keep him doing what he’s doing.
Geez us, what a concept!